S.F. Gets Court Order Against Man Under Hate Crimes Law / Ex-con accused of anti-gay acts against neighbor

Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, May 11, 1999

1999-05-11 04:00:00 PDT San Francisco -- The San Francisco city attorney's office took the unusual step yesterday of going to court under a state hate-crimes law to try to stop an alleged anti-gay terror campaign by a Potrero Hill man against his neighbor.

For six years, officials say, William Hannapple, 49, has done everything he can to avoid Ronald Thompson, 42, a muscular, 6-foot-4 ex-con who lives four doors down from him.

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Thompson, who has a history of mental problems, has been the target of other restraining orders, police say, and has been arrested repeatedly.

But while Thompson has allegedly menaced and shouted at Hannapple, the district attorney determined earlier this year that those acts were not enough to charge him with making terrorist threats. That left police and Hannapple with few options.

"Mr. Thompson has been a problem in the neighborhood, without question," said Inspector Sandi Bargioni of the police hate crimes unit. "In my opinion, he has terrorized an entire block."

Bargioni said the state hate- crimes law allows city authorities to act if a person's civil rights are imperiled. She said that while the threats were general against some of the neighbors, with Hannapple, they involved epithets that could be judged as anti-gay under the hate- crimes law.

The city attorney obtained a temporary restraining order against Thompson yesterday from Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay. If the civil case is upheld, Thompson could be ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Hannapple and stop verbally harassing him. The city is seeking $25,000 in damages and asking that Thompson be fined another $25,000 if he violates the order.

Thompson was not in court yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

Officials could recall only one other instance in which the city filed a civil complaint based on the hate- crimes law.

City Attorney Louise Renne said her office is using the law in a "creative, proactive way" to prevent problems. "We take Mr. Thompson's threats very seriously," she said.

A hearing is set for June 15 on whether a preliminary injunction should be issued against Thompson.

The problem dates back to February 1993, according to the complaint, when Thompson allegedly yelled anti-gay phrases and hit Hannapple with an open hand on the shoulder. Thompson was arrested for a parole violation and held for three months, according to the complaint.

After his release, Thompson "would often stare menacingly" as Hannapple walked his dog around the block, according to the complaint. In January, Thompson allegedly simulated a gun with his fingers and told Hannapple, "You wait until morning -- I'll get you."

Although Thompson was arrested, no charges were filed.

Hannapple says he just wants to be able to walk his dog outside his duplex he has owned for 21 years. "The bottom line is, I can't go out of my house without having to survey outside my door to see if he is around," he said.

"All I want to do is be at peace with the world," Hannapple said. "I have not only asked, but I've begged Mr. Thompson. I have asked him to find God. I'm not a problem to him. I just want to be left alone. But every single time he sees me, he harasses me."

He said the civil suit is his best hope.

"I have thought of many, many things," Hannapple said. "I don't want to arm myself, I don't want to get violent, I don't want to lose my temper. I don't want to go somewhere else. I love this city."